Your oral health is important – if dental anxiety is robbing you of the ability to take the best possible care of your teeth, your dentist can help. A person who suffers dental anxiety may postpone treatment for a tooth that is sensitive, or painful. It can be difficult for them to commit to regular checkups. For patients in these circumstances, sedation dentistry can be beneficial. Sedative assistance can help you more comfortably undergo treatment. Forgoing dental visits can actually make you more likely to endure more complicated tooth problems, especially if you delay visiting to address an existing concern.
There are multiple sedation options your dentist can provide. With nitrous oxide, you will be aware of what is happening, but relaxed. The gas is applied during your treatment, and will wear off in enough time for you to drive yourself home. Sedation medicines can also be taken orally, or intravenously. These can cause varying degrees of drowsiness, and you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
Problems with your oral health can worsen when you put off treatment. The longer you leave a cavity unaddressed, the more it can spread. If the cavity is left untreated for long enough, you may need a root canal to remove an infection in the interior of your tooth. If you deal with habitual jaw clenching, also known as bruxism, and do not see your dentist, your teeth can become dulled from the constant grinding. They could become damaged enough to require a cosmetic treatment.